Mason Mount: "We showed a lot of character and passion, the job's only half done"

(interviewer) Mason, first
of all, congratulations.

How big a win was
that here tonight?

Yeah massive win.

We knew how tough
it was going to be.

They're a very good team, but
we've obviously bouncing back

from a difficult game.

I feel like we showed
a lot of character

tonight, showed a lot of
passion, desire to win.

And we knew the
occasion, how big

it is to get off to a good
start in a two-legged game,

but this is only half done.

This is only half the job,
but it's obviously a good lead

going into the second game.

(interviewer) You
mentioned character,

lots of that in abundance, but
also professionalism as well.

Yeah, definitely.

And I think, the game
management we showed today,

the experience that
we have in the team,

I feel like that come through.

We have a lot of
young players, but I

feel like we're experienced and
we know how to manage a game,

even though it's a--
it's a big stage,

we stepped up tonight, all
of the players as a team.

We was together,
and we got the win.

(interviewer) Your all important
first Champions League goal,

what does that mean to you?

Yes, it's very
important to me.

I've had a lot of games in the
Champions League over the two

seasons.

And I haven't scored
until tonight,

so it was something that
was maybe a bit on my mind,

but I never tried to force it.

I just let it come naturally
and tonight, I felt like it did.

And that was in my
mind as soon as I

turned to just get the shot off
and try to get it on target.

And-- yeah, but
happily for me it went

in the-- in the far corner.

(interviewer) Such an
important goal is out there

with one of your best as well?

I haven't seen
it back, but I feel

like it was quite a fluid move.

Obviously Jorgi's passing to
me, and then turn and, finish.

It's an important goal for me.

It's first Champions League goal
and it's in-- in a big game,

so it could be up there, yeah.

(interviewer) Talking
of fluid goals,

quick word about your mate
scoring that second one.

My goodness, composure, the
finish, had it all didn't?

Yeah, I just said to
him then after the game,

brilliant composure from him.

I didn't expect it to be fair.

I thought he was
going to shoot as

soon as he got
past the defender,

and he was one-on-one.

I thought he was going to
try outside left foot or--

yeah, I didn't know.

As I seen him, take the touch
and go past, I was thinking,

wow, he's gonna--

he's gonna put it in this.

A brilliant finish, and yeah--

I'm very happy for him as well
to get his first Champions

League goal.

(interviewer) And I wanted ask
you about the coaching from up

in the stands here as
well, the squad players.

We had Thiago, we had Kepa.

They're so vocal and
they're behind you

from the first
minute to the last.

Yeah and obviously
you sitting here,

you'll be able to hear them.

We can hear them on the pitch.

And it shows how
together we are as a team

through difficult
times, through times

like this, when in games, you
can go through tough periods.

And we're all together
as a team, people

on the bench,
people in the stands

all shouting or trying
to help everyone

and that's the-- the
winning mentality we have.